Building Societies and the Economic and Social Development of England, c.1850-1939
My research examines the contribution made by building societies to the economic and social development of England before the Second World War. The central focus is on the role played by building societies in promoting thrift (savings behaviour) and extending property ownership to low-income households. My research therefore seeks to investigate the extent to which private collection action (in the form of building societies) can help to overcome the problems caused by market failure, and improve economic opportunity for those most affected by it.